MBABANE – Eswatini’s ambition to deepen its participation in regional trade and investment networks is steadily taking shape.
The latest testament to this is a groundbreaking cross-border collaboration between Eswatini Coffee, a local specialty coffee producer and two of Kenya’s leading coffee enterprises – Sumseron Coffee and Café AMKA.
Facilitated by the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), the partnership seeks to introduce Eswatini-grown coffee to the Kenyan market, creating new export opportunities for the kingdom while fostering intra-African trade.
The partnership was forged during EIPA’s participation in the 18th COMESA Business Forum and Exhibition held in Nairobi earlier this month.
This is indicative of Eswatini’s growing presence on the continental trade map and its commitment to expanding market access for local enterprises in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to Thandeka Dlamini, EIPA’s Manager for Export Trade, the collaboration is a direct outcome of the authority’s ongoing efforts to promote Eswatini’s products beyond national borders.
“EIPA’s role in this initiative underscores its core mandate: to attract, promote and facilitate both local and international trade and investment activity in Eswatini that contributes to the country’s economic growth,” Dlamini said.
“By connecting Eswatini Coffee with established players in Kenya’s world-renowned coffee industry, EIPA is opening new export opportunities for local businesses, empowering them to scale up production and compete in regional value chains.”
EIPA has been instrumental in supporting local enterprises through trade missions, exhibitions and export development programmes. The authority’s regional engagements – particularly within the COMESA and SADC blocs – are helping to position Eswatini as a credible player in African trade, where small but quality-driven enterprises can thrive through strategic partnerships.
A key highlight of the collaboration was a coffee brewing and tasting session held in Nairobi and hosted by Café AMKA and Sumseron Coffee.
EIPA officials joined Kenyan coffee connoisseurs and industry representatives to experience the rich aroma and distinctive flavour of Eswatini Coffee.
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Building bridges through intra-African trade
MBABANE – The Eswatini-Kenya partnership illustrates the tangible benefits of intra-African trade.
Historically, African countries have traded more with markets outside the continent than with each other.
However, programmes like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional blocs such as COMESA are working to reverse this trend by promoting collaboration, reducing trade barriers and fostering industrial diversification.
“While EIPA’s facilitation was instrumental in establishing the connection, the sustainability and growth of the partnership now rest in the hands of the collaborating coffee businesses,” EIPA’s Thandeka Dlamini said.
“This initiative demonstrates how intra-African trade can unlock mutual economic benefits by driving market access, cultural exchange and business innovation across the continent.”
This approach aligns with EIPA’s broader regional engagement strategy, which focuses on strengthening Eswatini’s trade ties through targeted matchmaking, sector-based trade missions and participation in continental trade fairs.
Kenya is globally recognised as one of Africa’s coffee powerhouses. Its coffee industry, built on decades of research, cooperative farming and international branding, exports to some of the most competitive global markets, including Europe and North America.
For Eswatini, establishing a foothold in Kenya offers immense learning and collaboration opportunities.
Access to Kenya’s advanced processing, roasting and packaging expertise could accelerate Eswatini Coffee’s value addition and help raise quality standards across the local industry.
*Full article available in our publication.
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